In order to develop my understanding and awareness of the issues and factors surrounding how the creative industry operates, I have chosen to research Vocalist performers. There is a very wide range of positions and jobs a vocalist can be a part of meaning I should get a full context of how the creative industries operate through thorough analysis of this profession.

As being a Vocal performer opens up a world of different opportunities within the industry, it will be smart to hone in on a few professions and gauge the level of qualifications and experience required for these positions to get a focused understanding of the gateway to joining the industry. Opportunities like performing in a band at lower to medium sized music venues will require a rounded understanding and experience of music, a band for instance will look for someone that has clearly practiced and understood what they sing consistently. They commonly require the vocalists sound to match the quality and accuracy of the rest of the band. Some admired traits (that most vocalist would deem admirable) would consist of tonal accuracy/control, Stamina, basic understanding of the groups specialties, improvisational skills, unique tone/character of the voice, as well as simply meshing well personally with people you are working with. Working up to and maintaining these traits do require high levels of work and someone who is willing to be consistent with the practice and upkeep of their voice just like any other instrument. High end professional bands will have built a reputation and will have more of a process in finding a vocalist as they have a higher image to live up to so in this instance qualifications/resume (such as a university or Vocational education) may play more into being approved to work with them however most bands would be looking for signs of experience, confidence and skill regardless of qualifications. It is important to note that connections are very important within the industry as well for landing jobs as that is one of the main methods of hiring that has naturally grown into the industry. For a profession like Opera singing, again there are different calibres in this profession however there is a common route taken by aspiring Opera singers. In the states these aspiring Opera singers will usually take the well-trod academic approach by earning a degree in a college or conservatory, attend a graduate school, and will audition and enter competitions throughout and after their education in hopes of finding consistent work.

No matter the level a vocalist is at, it is expected that they practice their voice most if not every single day as again, like any other instrument, the voice has to be maintained and consistently practiced to retain the muscle memory and understanding of their voice. Every practice session commonly begins with a warm up which is crucial before any full-on singing is attempted. Much like other instruments a vocalist will practice different scalic/rhythmic patterns, a universal format to practice these is the book of Vaccai created with the main intention to help practice scales, musical techniques like a acciaccaturas and different rhythmic patterns and time signatures. Professional vocalists are expected to practice at least an hour most days if not more. On a performance day a vocalist will commonly take care of their voice, not talking much, some use machines that involve breathing in a warm mist ort just simply a cup of tea to relax and soothe the throat and vocal cords. most if not all venues on a performance day will include sound checks and or rehearsals where the vocalist will participate to help whoever is in charge of the sound engineering and cohesion of the different members sounds. During this time, they may also have to rehearse positioning and timing on and off stage. On other days a vocalist will also most likely have to be practicing and learning music be it with a team at a designated practice area or on their own.

Financial and legal issues can arise for Vocalists and they are common due to the unique nature of the profession and the regulations surrounding music. One of the main ones would be record deals and publishing agreements. It is enticing to be able to work with a record label or company as they will fund and facilitate a vocalist’s art however, these agreements usually come with restrictions on an artist’s creative freedom and financial gain from their work. Some of these agreements will include provisions on Album production distribution rights and royalty payments. Touring can be another problem financially as sometimes travel costs, accommodation and food will have to be paid for out of the vocalist’s pocket. Due to the commonly fluctuating nature of a vocalist’s income, they will have to carefully plan their finances and should always try to save a portion of their income for unexpected expenses or periods where they are making less than what they need. On the side of legal issues, a vocalist may run into there is plenty to be cautious about. Any music that is worked on should be regulated with copyright laws as they determine ownership and control of the song as well as the distribution of royalties. Many young/inexperienced vocalists can fall into a trap of signing off on an agreement for a piece of work that minimises their financial gain in order to maximise the other parties. If a vocalist builds a reputation within their industry and even publicly this also ads pressure as there would be a standard to maintain, along with that all actions will be seen by many more people warranting them to have to be more careful and professional.

The marketing and promotional aspects of a vocalist’s career are vital for establishing their presence in the industry, growing a Fanbase and increasing revenue streams. Successful marketing involves many moving parts. Social media is one of the main and most effective routes for promotion today for vocalists of any Caliber. If enough effort and thought is put into the design and concepts of social media posts, your name will garner more attention and even if there are only on average 20 people viewing each post, one of those people could be looking for someone with the skills of a vocalist. Social media may also open up the doors to brand collaborations, the higher level of engagement you receive on your social media, the more brands will want to promote their products/services on your platform. Building a personal brand through a social media will also be beneficial as it can be used to start a new business if successful enough such as a line of merchandise. Another benefit of building an image and resume is the opportunity to collaborate with an event to promote it with your presence, the return will be payment and more recognition.

Being a vocalist, particularly within an industry as competitive as music, can come with a variety of intellectual and personal challenges. One of those challenges could be creative burnout. Most creatives have or will experience creative burnout. It derives from simply putting in too much effort in whatever facete of your profession and can manifest physically for a vocalist, in the worst scenarios causing them to become ill rendering their greatest asset, their voice, useless for as long as they are unwell which is clearly detrimental especially as this could disrupt a majorly important event. The best way of going about this is to prevent it altogether, if possible, by taking consistent breaks, changing the environment or task at hand and asking for support on a project or just socially. Being a vocalist can also come with having to take a lot of criticism from piers, the public, band members and even people that have more power that may not have full context of what it is a vocalist does. Unfortunately, it is inevitable and required at some stages in the profession and this could be hard for certain people who do not cope as well with Criticism as others do. In order to cope with this, it is important for anyone in any industry to understand the value of Criticism especially from the consumers of the vocalist’s work.

Due to the broad nature of the topic I have chosen to research there are many routes of career-progression/development within the industry of a professional vocalist and as the industry grows so does the diversity and number of opportunities for them. The music industry garners a lot of room for lateral movement across styles and genres for artists. A vocalist could peruse Pop, R&B and jazz to name a few. A vocalist could also collaborate with another artist from another genre if they are comfortable with sticking to the genre they are used to. Dor vocalists that prefer live sets working with bands there is a whole world of venues to perform at from free venues to performing as a backup singer at a Taylor Swift concert where the average ticket price is around £750 today. A Vocalist could choose to peruse a fulfilling career of teaching the skills they have learned to a new generation as part time or full-time work.

To conclude, becoming a professional vocalist opens up a wide range of opportunities within the creative industries, each offering its own sets of rewards and challenges. From performing in smaller venues and collaborating with different artists to teaching to being part of a production, there is no shortage in paths for growth and professional development. Universal factors that will garner success within the music industry is maintaining a strong work ethic, constantly developing your skills and being adaptable to new trends and demands. A vocalist also has to navigate the complexities of legal agreements, financial stability and planning as well as their own personal well-being all while potentially having to maintain a status/reputation. However, through honing their craft and what they love and remaining open to each new possibility, a vocalist can build a lasting and fulfilling career within the creative industry.